NOBO Handweavers

Hi all,

Sorry I have been so absent from Guild meetings. I think life is beginning to settle down again and I have hopes of fitting those in once more.

In the meantime, I have been weaving my first project on the Norwood loom (you can see my adventures on my blog. This first project is bath towels and I have actually finished one!

So of course I am never happy unless I have the next project planned which will be a blanket! I have the pattern and yarn all picked out. The yarn is Harrisville Shetland 2 ply.

I will weave the blanket in two panels. I am still puzzling as to whether I will weave them on the same warp, thus creating a pattern, or different warps, thus keeping more or less the pattern I selected.

My questions are:
How to make sure the panels are the same length? What do you all use to do that? Do I measure under tension or not? I have read a lot of contrary opinions out there on the web.
And how to attach the panels together so they don’t look attached?
And finish the fabric before or after attaching?

Any thoughts are welcome!

Be sure to get hold of the May/June issue of Handwoven!

British rare breed bookmarks woven by NOBO Handweavers, USA

A sampling of the British rare breed bookmarks woven by Staffordshire Moorlands weavers, UK

For those of you who may have missed the meeting last night, one of the many items on the agenda was a discussion about whether NOBO should join New England Weavers Seminar. This association of New England guilds cooperatively plans a conference every 2 years so that weavers like all of us can develop skills, network with one another and yes, strut our stuff a bit. A broad range of classes are offered from beginner to advanced, juried exhibits to die for, talks from notable experts and vendors, vendors, vendors!! The next NEWS will take place in July 2011 at Smith College in Northampton, MA. NOBO can elect to be part of the planning by paying the modest sum of $20. and by sending 2 representatives to a total of 4 meetings over 2 years. ( There are only 2 meetings left in the current  cycle). Each guild has an assignment because this just wouldn’t happen without the time and commitment of the dedicated volunteers. Our assignment for this conference should we choose to accept it would be to manage the Guild exhibits. This task is very easy and only involves overseeing the installation of the guild shows during NEWS. 

 This topic will be on the agenda again next month so that we can make a final decision soon. Please take a moment to think about how important NEWS is to you and perhaps post a comment with your thoughts. If you need further information, I’d be happy to answer your questions. The website has not been updated with the new courses, but I have a preliminary list. Thanks!

I’m looking for a book detailing the history of spinning wheels. A book entitled “The Spinning Wheel” was mentioned at NOBO last evening; however, I do not have the author’s name and have been unable to locate a copy. Would appreciate some help with this – along with any other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

What an informative presentation.
It’s so nice to have two guys, Dave and Ted, who know what they’re doing web wise!

I really hope everyone feels empowered to give posting a try. It’s truly a matter of experimenting and asking for help. The best advice Ted gave was the part about playing around and not hitting the publish button. That way you increase your knowledge and confidence level. Hit the preview button to see how great it looks, then hit the publish key.
It’s nice to have that safety net.

Oh, plus I always spot errors after publishing and hit the edit key and fix the problem (usually typos!)

Very user friendly!

A reminder that our guild meets this Thursday from 7-9pm at A Loom with a View, Newburyport.

After listening to Lady NOBO’s textile tale, then taking care of old and new business, we will leave the medieval era and enter the virtual world. Ted Gent will guide us through understanding our website so we may all communicate with one another between meetings.

Treat yourself to an evening that is guaranteed to make you glad you are a weaver!

Last Fri eve, Betsy and I attended the opening of the annual Spring Show of the Greater Haverhill Arts Association. This year, the show exhibited a few added art forms – pottery, clay, blacksmithing, stained glass, and … fiber art! Photography was reintroduced as well. The show continues through the 31st and I encourage everyone who may have the opportunity to visit and support the inclusion of fiber arts. More info can be found on their website – www.haverhillartassociation.org  Betsy’s wrap, Susan’s scarf, and Kim’s needle felted piece were stunningly and prominently presented in a separate pedestal display case.

This Arts Association is very interested in future displays of fiber art pieces. I will be talking about this at our next guild meeting. Should anyone not be able to attend this Thursday’s meeting and would like more info about displaying and possibly selling their work at this venue, be sure to send me an email. This is quite an opportunity for handweavers and other fiber artisits to educate the public regarding our “art” and this association is quite receptive for us to do so.